Skip to content
Pennsylvania

McKinney-Vento Support for Pennsylvania School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Pennsylvania, you likely juggle multiple responsibilities within your district. Serving students across both urban centers and rural communities, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while making your complex job more manageable.

Pennsylvania
students sitting

The Challenge in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania presents a diverse and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing major urban centers, growing suburban communities, and vast rural regions. The state faces a significant housing crisis with rising prices.

40,122 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was almost 1.7 million; Pennsylvania's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 2.4%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Pennsylvania, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. The state faces a housing shortage, particularly for lower-cost homes, due to slow construction and restrictive zoning regulations.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with others due to economic hardship. 68.9% of identified homeless students in Pennsylvania were living doubled-up in the 2022-2023 school year.2
  • In urban areas, while services are concentrated, housing costs are exceptionally high. Homelessness is often more visible here, with students residing in emergency shelters, motels, or transitional housing.
  • Rural communities also face significant challenges, with homelessness found even in the most remote counties. "Hidden" homelessness is common due to limited resources and fewer visible shelters. Families often rely on informal networks or may live in substandard conditions, complicating identification and outreach.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Pennsylvania contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students.
 
  • In urban centers like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown, challenges include the expense of public transit, navigating complex transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability, particularly for students whose temporary housing is far from their school of origin. School districts often struggle with funding to provide required transportation services.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the lack of public transportation options and vast distances between temporary residences and schools. Reliance on limited school bus routes or the absence of city systems compounds barriers to consistent school attendance, often requiring school districts to seek creative solutions amidst compliance mandates.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Pennsylvania identified 2.4% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

people looking at board

How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Pennsylvania Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

We help you meet federal regulations with up-to-date checklists, policy templates, and annual audit preparation tailored for Pennsylvania schools.

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban districts help staff recognize housing insecurity early.

Comprehensive Training

Live webinars and on-demand modules-covering trauma-informed practices, transportation logistics, and rural outreach-available year round.

Data Management and Funding Support

Tools to track students, manage eligibility, and access local/federal funding (e.g., Title I, II) help boost resource allocation.

Expert Guidance and Advocacy Support

Subject Matter Experts with many years of McKinney-Vento implementation are ready to provide support on challenging cases, work through situations and help you connect with resources to support your work.
Testimonial

Success with McKinney-Vento.org

Personalized student care - cropped

 

 

Featured

“ As I changed school districts this last year, I have become more aware of the homelessness in the school systems. I have moved to a district with many newcomers and most have come with out parents or guardians. This information is very helpful. I am going to pay more attention to situations and help when needed. ”

Cynthia J.

Pennsylvania

Why Pennsylvania Districts Choose McKinney-Vento.org

check-mark McKinney-Vento Expertise

McKinney-Vento.org delivers specialized training and compliance tools for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness under federal education law.

 

check-mark Proven Results Since 2014

Our track record speaks for itself – from small rural districts to large urban systems, we've consistently delivered measurable improvements in homeless student support and educational stability.

 

check-mark The Only Turnkey Solution Available

Stop piecing together incomplete solutions. We provide the industry's only comprehensive, turnkey McKinney-Vento implementation system designed specifically for today's educational environment.

State Coordinator Contacts

Storm Camera, ECYEH Statewide Coordinator
Phone: (717) 772-2066
E- mail: scamara@pa.gov 
 
Carmen Medina, Division Chief, Division of Student Services Bureau of School Support
Phone: (717) 783-6464
E-mail: cmedina@pa.gov 

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC

Ready to Better Support Pennsylvania's Homeless Students?

Join the Pennsylvania districts using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in your district.

Book your personalized demo
Liaison Portal